J.R. Villarreal (born September 28, 1992) is an American actor, producer, and second-line director, best known for his roles as Javier in 2006 film ''

Akeelah and the Bee ''Akeelah and the Bee'' is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison. It tells the story of Akeelah Anderson ( Keke Palmer), an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her mother ( Angela ...

'', Black Scorpion on the ''

Disney Channel Disney Channel is an American pay television television channel, channel that serves as the flagship (broadcasting), flagship property of Disney Branded Television, a unit of the Disney Entertainment business segment of the Walt Disney Company ...

'' action-comedy series ''

Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion ''Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion'' is an American superhero coming-of-age action-comedy television series developed by Leo Chu and Eric S. Garcia and created by Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit that aired on Disney Channel from June 3 to November 1 ...

'', and Tio Tonio on

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

's ''

On My Block ''On My Block'' is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft. Set in the fictional Los Angeles neighborhood Freeridge, it revolves four teenagers who find their friendship test ...

''-spinoff series ''

Freeridge '' Freeridge'' is an American teen comedy-drama television series created by Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft, Jamie Dooner, and Jamie Uyeshiro that premiered on Netflix on February 2, 2023. It is a spin-off of ''On My Block''. In A ...

''.

Career

Early career: ''Akeelah and the Bee''

Inspired by early-2000s teen sitcoms ''

That's So Raven ''That's So Raven'' is an American television fantasy teen sitcom that was created by Michael Poryes and Susan Sherman, and aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between January 2003 and November 2007. The series centers on Raven Baxter ( ...

'', ''

Boy Meets World ''Boy Meets World'' is an American coming-of-age sitcom created by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly that aired on ABC for seven seasons between September1993 and May2000. The series centers on Cory Matthews ( Ben Savage) and his friends and f ...

'', ''

Even Stevens ''Even Stevens'' is an American comedy television series produced by Brookwell McNamara Entertainment that originally aired on Disney Channel from June 17, 2000, to June 2, 2003, airing a total of 65 episodes spanning three seasons. It follows ...

'', and ''

Smart Guy ''Smart Guy'' is an American sitcom television series centering on the exploits of child prodigy T.J. Henderson ( Tahj Mowry), who moves from being an elementary school student in the fourth grade to a high school student in the tenth grade, at ...

'', Villarreal began acting at 10 years old, appearing in network procedurals ''

Without a Trace ''Without a Trace'' is an American police procedural drama television series created by Hank Steinberg that aired on CBS from September 26, 2002, to May 19, 2009 with the total of seven seasons and 160 episodes. The series focuses the cases of ...

'', ''

Cold Case ''Cold Case'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series. It ran on CBS from September 28, 2003, to May 2, 2010. The series revolved around a fictionalized Philadelphia Police Department division that specializes in invest ...

'', and ''

House A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...

'', among others. In 2006, he received acclaim for his role as Javier Mendez, a talented 12-year-old Mexican-American contestant from upscale LA suburb Woodland Hills who competes in the

Scripps National Spelling Bee The Scripps National Spelling Bee, formerly the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee and often referred to as the National Spelling Bee or simply “the Spelling Bee” in the United States, is an annual spelling bee held in the United States. ...

alongside actress

Keke Palmer Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer ( ; born August 26, 1993) is an American actress, singer, and television personality. She has received numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award and a Screen Act ...

in ''

'', eventually becoming her friend (and subsequent love interest) in the film after extending an invitation to both his birthday party and middle school spelling club.

2007–2014: Transition to adult roles

In 2007, Villarreal appeared on procedural '' CSI: Miami'' before reuniting with ''Akeelah'' star

Laurence Fishburne Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor. Throughout his career, he has gained recognition for his roles on stage and screen as militant and authoritative characters. List of awards and nominations received by Laur ...

in the film adaptation of Don Winslow's 1997 novel ''

The Death and Life of Bobby Z ''The Death and Life of Bobby Z'', also known as ''Bobby Z'' and ''Let's Kill Bobby Z'', is a 2007 American-German action film, directed by John Herzfeld, and starring Paul Walker, Laurence Fishburne, Olivia Wilde, and Joaquim de Almeida. Sony Pic ...

'', appearing as the title character's son, Kit. In 2011, Villarreal starred in film '' Magic City Memoirs'' as Mikey Acosta, a star high school baseball prospect in his senior year trying to navigate amongst the pressures and temptations of Miami. The film premiered at the

Miami International Film Festival The Miami Film Festival, formerly Miami International Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Miami, Florida, each March. Since 2015 the festival also runs a smaller Fall Festival, known as the Miami Film Festival GEMS, which presents ...

, winning the Pursuit of Perfection Award, before later premiering on streaming service

in 2015. In 2013, Villarreal appeared in independent horror-comedy '' Ghost Team One'' as Brad, a college-aged roommate in a house thought to be haunted.

2015–present: Sitcoms, ''Black Scorpion'', ''Freeridge'' & ''Landman''

While moving to behind-the-scenes roles as a producer on film projects such as ''An American in Texas'' and ''Scumbags'', Villarreal recurred on multiple television series: ''High & Mighty'', Netflix' ''

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

'', and

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

family sitcom '' United We Fall'', which lasted for one season. In 2022, Villarreal was cast in the lead role as Black Scorpion / Cruz de la Vega on

program ''

'', a show recognized by critics for its meaningful celebration of cultural heritage and the customs of the Mexican American community. The show remained on the network for 16 episodes. He would next recur as comedic relief Tio Tonio on Netflix' short-lived ''

'' spin-off ''

''. Villarreal appeared as Juan "Cinco" Lopez, the underworld-dealing second husband of Latin vocalist

Jenni Rivera Dolores Janney "Jenni" Rivera (July 2, 1969 – December 9, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and producer known for her work within the regional Mexican music genre, specifically in the styles of Banda (music), ...

in ''Jenni'', a 2024 biopic about Rivera's life. In 2024, Villarreal received acclaim for his recurring arc as antagonist Manuel Lopez on

Taylor Sheridan Sheridan Taylor Gibler Jr. (born May 21, 1970), known professionally as Taylor Sheridan, is an American writer, producer, director and actor. He is best known as the co-creator of the television series ''Yellowstone'' and creator of its prequels ...

television drama '' Landman'' set in the Texas Oil fields. He will next appear as Chino in 2025 thriller film ''The Low-End Theory''.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Villarreal, J.R. Male actors from Houston Hispanic and Latino American male actors American male child actors 1992 births Living people American male film actors American male television actors 21st-century American male actors